Range top



Dec. 15, 1964 E. STOLIGROSZ ETAL 3,161,191

RANGE TOP Filed Jan. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IW 1 i H a Dec. 15, 1964 E. STOLIGROSZ ETAL 3,161,191

RANGE TOP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 11, 1962 United States Patent 3,161,191 RANGE TSP Eugene Stoiigrosz and Belbert hasten, hath of Hanniton, Ohio, assignors to Whiripool @orporati-en, a corporation of Delaware Fiied Jan. 11, $62, Sex. N 165,521 3 (Claims. (Cl. 126-39) This invention relates to heating means and in particular to burner means for use in gas ranges.

In one form of improved gas range, a dropin coolrtop is arranged to be placed in a suitable opening in the counter-top of a kitchen cabinet. The present invention is concerned with the provision of an improved gas burner and cooktop structural combination for use in such countertop installations.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved gas burner-cooktop structure.

A further features of the invention is the provision of such a structure wherein the burner is arranged as an atmospheric burner.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of such a structure having new and improved means for preventing spillage from passing downwardly to below the cooktop.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a structure having new and improved means for providing air to the burner flame. A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a structure wherein the air delivered to the burner flame sweeps across a portion of the burner body and the cooktop to cool the same.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for sealingly mounting the burner on the cooktop to preclude leakage therethrough.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of certain embodiments thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

FiGURE l is a fragmentary top plan view of a gas range structure embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section thereof taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FlGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of a modified form thereof.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section of another modified form thereof.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical section of still another modified form thereof.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary vertical section of yet another modified form thereof.

In exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, a gas range generally designated 10 is shown to include a gas burner generally designated 11 and a cooktop generally designated 12 through which the burner is arranged to extend. The coolctop is arranged to be installed on a countertop 13 having a suitable opening 14 therein. A conventional burner box 15 is associated with the cooktop 12 and is similarly installed on the countertop 13 to extend below the cooktop 12 and burner 11 carried thereon.

. ered to the flow passage 2%) by .asuitable inlet 22 connected to a conventional supply (not; shown) for delivery through the flow passage to the ports 17 to provide a pinrality of flames F extending generally laterally outwardly suitable quantity of primary air.

Blflhlfll Patented Dec. 15, 1964 from the ports 17 at the upper end 18 of the burner body. The gas delivered from inlet 22 may be premixed with a However, additional secondary air is provided to the flames F both below and above the flames as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 2.

More specifically, cooktop 12 is provided with a plurality of air inlet openings 23 in a peripheral depending flange portion 24; thereof. Air flows through openings 23 downwardly through the space 25 between the cooktop 12 and the burner box 15 and thence upwardly through the central passage 21 of the burner body to the upper end 18 thereof. A deflector Z6 is installed on the burner body to overlie the upper end of the passage 21 and defleet the air therefrom laterally outwardly over the burner body cap 19. Thus, deflector 26 serves both to deflect the secondary air from passage 21 to the flames F and to prevent spillage of food matter and the like from passing downwardly through the passage 21. As shown in FIG- URE 2, the deflector preferably extends laterally suficiently to overlie the burner body cap 19 thereby effectively precluding the dropping of such matter onto any portion of the burner body and, more specifically, onto the ports 17 thereof.

A second stream of air, as shown in FIGURE 2, is delivered to the flames F after flowing over the upper surface of the cooktop 12. As shown in FlGURE 2, the cooktop is provided with a depressed portion 27 effectively defining an annular well or sump circumjacent the burner body 16 which is adapted to collect dropped matter and spillage. The depressed portion 27 includes a generally frusto-conical inner portion 28 extending generally toward the flames F and thereby guiding the air flowing downwardly through the Well 27 upwardly therefrom toward the flames to provide improved secondary air delivery thereto. As a result of the improved secondary air delivery, an even blanket of flame is provided by the burner 11 for improved facilitated cooking and the like with the range 1d. Thus, a uniform distribution of the hot gases is provided to the under surface of a receptacle or the like (not shown) placed on the conventional grates 29 disposed above the burner 11.

The invention further comprehends an improved mounting of the burner on the cooktop providing facilitated installation and maintenance of the range. More specifically, as shown in FIGURE 2, the burner body is provided with an annular downwardly facing shoulder 39 immediately "below the ports 17. The cooktop portion 28 terminates inwardly in a slightly turned frusto-conical section 31. An annular support 32 encircles the burner body 16 and includes an outer portion 33 removably resting on the cooktop section 31 and an inner portion 34 engaging the shoulder 35) to removably carry the burner body thereon. The outer portion 33 of the support 32 is preferably frusto-conical similar to the cooktop portion 28 and defines a continuation thereof to guide the air directly to the flames F closely adjacent the upper end of the support 32. The support 32 is further arranged to seal the burner body to the cooktop thereby effectively precluding passage of dropped matter and spillage through the central opening 35 defined by the cooktop section 31 through which the burner extends. As the support portion 33 and the coolrtop section- 31 widen frusto-conically downwardly toward the sump portion 27 of the burner 111 functions similarly;

burner 11 and 'functionsin a sirnilar m'anner.

I surface 334 of; the support" 332.? A 'cap 319 generally I similarto cap 219' 'ofburner211 is'provided at the-upper end. of burn'er bo dy 3,18 and includes the burner {ports burnerbody 16 by suitable legs 36 provided with tabs 37 at their lower ends releasably snapping into openings 38 in the burner cap 19. Thus, the deflector 26 may be readily separated from theburner for facilitated maintenance when desired. I

The annularsupport 32 may be formed of a suitable heat resistant material and herein the support 32 is die cast'of aluminum. The support 32 comprises a split annular structure for facilitated installationri I As discussed above, the burner 11 is arranged for improved facilitated maintenance. Asthe burner body mere ly restsonthe support 32 and the support 32 in turn merely rests on the cooktop section 31, the removal of the burner body for maintenance is readily effected simply by removing deiiector 26, removingcap l9 and lifting the burner body upwardly throughthe opening 35.- The split annular support 32 may then be removed by simply lifting it upwardly allowing the split 32a to expand so that support 32 will slip over shoulder of body In. This allows body 16 to drop through opening and cooktop section 31 may be removedto service the burner 11. They sump127 is readily maintained simply by wiping it clean without thenecessity of removing the burner 11. The rounded configuration. of the sump thusly permits facilitated maintenance while at the same time providing the desirable smooth air flow therethrough andup- Wardly to the flames F. I

As best seen in FIGURE 2, burner cap 19 maybe provided with a radially outwardlyprojecting peripheral 317. Burner 311; in all other respects is similar to burner 11 and functionsin a similar' manner. I I

Referring now to FIGURE 6, amodifi'd burner 411 is showdto include a support 432 generally similar to support 132 of burner 111. Burner 411 differs from burner 111 in the provision'of a cap 419 generally similar to caps 219 and 319 and-provided with the flame ports 417. Burner 411is generally similar, in all other respects to burner 11' and functions in a similar manner.

Thus, in each of the burner structures 111, 211, 311 and 411 an improved burner structure is provided wherein the burner body is readily removable from the cooktop while yetthe burner is effectively sealingly carried on the cooktop for preventing passage of spillage and the like downwardly through the .cooktop and forimproved delivery of the secondary air to the burner flames. In each of the modified forms of the invention, an improved facilitated maintenance of the cooktop itself is provided as a result of theprovision in the cooktop of thespillage collecting sump portion circumjacent the burner. In. each of'the difierent disclosed forms of the invention an improved cooling sweep of air is provided over the cooktop and upper endof the burner andin each an improved uniform blanket of flame is obtained by the improved set out in the accompanying claims.

in effectively precluding the dropping of matter and spillage onto the ports 17. 1 1

Turning now to FIGURES 3 through 6, modified forms of the burner structure embodying the invention are illus- I trat ed. In each of the modified forms; the distinction,"

thereof from the burner 11 resides in the arrangement of box 112. The angularity of cooktop section131' to the verticalaxis ofthe burner is substantially greater" than the angularity of cooktop section 31 to the axis of burner 11 and the inner section 134 of the support 132 is correspondingly thinner to accommodate the increased radial exten sion of the cooktop section. The other portions of burner 111 are generally similar to those of burner 11 and the Referring now to FIGURE 4', :a' burner 211 shown to include a burner body 216 havinga modified upper q 7 v I the same diameter whereby said deflectorl and support end 218 includingfa downturned frusto-conical portion,

the bottom of the sump 227 of the cooktop 212.5 The.

material, in :burner' 211 includes an tupper portion233 having 'a frusto-co'nical inner surface 234 .sealingly rest- 1 peripheral edge 236 of the cooktop defining the inner I ports 217. In all otherrespects;burner ZII' -is similar toi opening 237 thereof. Cap 2'19 'isprovided'with flame In FIGURE 5, a modified burner 311 .is'shownjtoincludesaradiallyout turned flange 33d resting on the upper support 23a2, preferably a resilient heat; resistant rubbery I clud e-a j support 532 having a radial lowersurface 333 I sealingly resting on a radially inturned cooltop se'ction' i I 331'. .The l pper end318-of the burner body. 3I6"in-"-- secondary .airdeliver' y toitheupper end of the burner.

Having described our invention as related to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is our intention that the invention be n'otlimited by any of the' details of description, unless otherwise specified, but

rather be construed broadly withinits spiritrand scope as The embodiment of the, invention in which an exclusive property lows: I

1-.' A-range top structure comprising: a burner including an annular body defining a. hollow wall provided with an upper end havingburner portspmeans for delivering combustible fuel through said hollow wall to saidports to provide a flame extending outwardly from said ports; a icooktop having an upwardly narrowing frusto-conical deflector portion circumjacent said wall and having an upper; portion spaced below said upper end of the burner body; and an annular. support encircling the burner body subjacent said portsand having a lower; first portion removably supported on said upper portion of the cook- 'top deflector; and an upper, second portion removablysupporting said burner body, said support being arranged to 'seal the-cooktop to the burner body to preclude substantial air leakage 'andpassage or dropped matter there-.

between and defining-an outer annular surface extending upwardly from said .cooktop deflector to subjacent said burner ports, said upper portion of the coolrtopdeflector and said lower portion ofthe. supporthaving substantially define a" substantially regular guide surface for guiding ports. I Y I I 2. The/range top of claim 1 wherein: said support outer surface is 'frusto-conical narrowing upwardly.'

"3 The range top of claim- I wherein saidsupport is formed of a thermally conductive/material;such as alugminumf I I Ref ereuces Cited hytheEiraminer I I UNrrEfn STATES PA InrsI I 2,148,777 f 2/395 Schneideret a1; "126 -39 7 2,806,464 9/57 Wi lliamsietial. "126-39 rounrG rA'rE-Nrs 721469 455. QCjreat; Britain,

Great Britain. a

o Examiner.

" Examiner; q

or privilege is claimed is defined as fol 

1. A RANGE TOP STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A BURNER INCLUDING AN ANNULAR BODY DEFINING A HOLLOW WALL PROVIDED WITH AN UPPER END HAVING BURNER PORTS; MEANS FOR DELIVERING COMBUSTIBLE FUEL THROUGH SAID HOLLOW WALL TO SAID PORTS TO PROVIDE A FLAME EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID PORTS; A COOKTOP HAVING AN UPWARDLY NARROWING FRUSTO-CONICAL DEFLECTOR PORTION CIRCUMJACENT SAID WALL AND HAVING AN UPPER PORTION SPACED BELOW SAID UPPER END OF THE BURNER BODY; AND AN ANNULAR SUPPORT ENCIRCLING THE BURNER BODY SUBJACENT SAID PORTS AND HAVING A LOWER, FIRST PORTION REMOVABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID UPPER PORTION OF THE COOKTOP DEFLECTOR AND AN UPPER, SECOND PORTION REMOVABLY SUPPORTING SAID BURNER BODY, SAID SUPPORT BEING ARRANGED TO SEAL THE COOKTOP TO THE BURNER BODY TO PRECLUDE SUBSTANTIAL AIR LEAKAGE AND PASSAGE OF DROPPED MATTER THEREBETWEEN AND DEFINING AN OUTER ANNULAR SURFACE EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID COOKTOP DEFLECTOR TO SUBJACENT SAID BURNER PORTS, SAID UPPER PORTION OF THE COOKTOP DEFLECTOR AND SAID LOWER PORTION OF THE SUPPORT HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DIAMETER WHEREBY SAID DEFLECTOR AND SUPPORT DEFINE A SUBSTANTIALLY REGULAR GUIDE SURFACE FOR GUIDING AIR FLOW SMOOTHLY UPWARDLY FROM SAID COOKTOP TO SAID PORTS. 